throw-in

1 of 2

noun

1
: an act or instance of throwing a ball in: such as
a
: a throw made from the touchline in soccer to put the ball back in play after it has gone into touch
b
: a throw from an outfielder to the infield in baseball
c
: an inbounds pass in basketball
2
: something added as a bonus or supplement

throw in

2 of 2

verb

threw in; thrown in; throwing in; throws in

transitive verb

1
: to add as a gratuity or supplement
2
: to introduce or interject in the course of something : contribute
they throw in some … sound effects on several songsTom Phillips
3
4
: engage
throw in the clutch

intransitive verb

: to enter into association or partnership : join
agrees to throw in with a crooked ex-copNewsweek
Phrases
throw in the towel or less commonly throw in the sponge
: to abandon a struggle or contest : acknowledge defeat : give up

Examples of throw-in in a Sentence

Noun anyone who buys a book today will get a bookmark as a throw-in
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Miami also retained Davion Mitchell, a throw-in piece from the team's midseason Jimmy Butler trade who flourished in South Beach. Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025 Sunderland trail only Bournemouth, Palace and Brentford (seven) in shots created from throw-ins with six. Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
Maye hit Boutte on a back-shoulder throw in Sunday’s win over the Saints that allowed the Patriots to kneel on the ball, drain the clock and emerge victorious. Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 16 Oct. 2025 Fleece is a polyester material that also can be thrown in the washing machine. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for throw-in

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1864, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1678, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of throw-in was in 1678

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Throw-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/throw-in. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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